An integrated microfluidic chip for the detection of bacteria – A proof of concept

• Published in: Molecular and cellular probes Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 223 - 227
• Main Authors: Guo, Zhe, Yu, Ting, He, Jiarui, Liu, Fen, Hao, Hualong, Zhao, Yang, Wen, Jiabin, Wang, Qi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2015
• Subjects: Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bacterial detection; Bacteriological Techniques - methods; DNA, Bacterial - analysis; Limit of Detection; Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP); Microfluidic chip; Microfluidics - methods; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques - methods; Solid phase extraction (SPE); Microfluidic chip; Solid phase extraction (SPE); Bacterial detection; Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
• ISSN: 0890-8508; 1096-1194
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2015.05.005

We designed a microfluidic chip as a proof of concept for the detection of bacterial DNA. The chip was fabricated with poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It included a solid phase extraction (SPE) chamber, two separate channels and multiple loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) chambers. Three bacterial strains (Escherichia coli O157:H7, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus) were used to test the feasibility of the device. LAMP products were examined directly using a UV light and verified by agarose gel electrophoresis. Using this chip, we successfully detected E. coli O157:H7, MSSA and MRSA in less than 2 h. The detection limit for genes rfbE, spa and mecA (specific to E. coli O157:H7, MSSA and MRSA, respectively) was <102 CFU/100 μl. Further work is required to refine this approach and rigorously assess its analytical and diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. •Microfluidic chip shows its low-cost, disposability, portability and integration.•DNA purification, amplification and results judgment were implemented on chip consecutively.•Rapid and accurate bacterial detection was implemented on chip.